When is the best time to catch crappie during the winter. Or should I wait until late winter/spring?

Where are you fishing? around here we are drilling holes to fish through which changes the pattern considerably. Prespawn has always been the easiest time to locate crappie, but that could be anytime from mid Feb to sometime in June depending on location. Tom
Fishin' fool in NE Illinois

They are being caught around here right now in the backs of the coves in standing timber.
Phoenix Arizona

~N.A.F.C.~B.A.S.S.~BoatU.S.~N.R.A.~

I'm fishing in Georgia. Most of the ponds around here are stagnant and frozen, (and swarmed with trees and mosquitoes) and I'm not sure about taking an hour trip to the nearest un-frozen lake. But sometimes fishing calls for drastic measures. P.S. Is there a way I even know if there are fish in the water (besides fishing it)? Would it be a good idea to introduce sportfish into a isolated body of water?

Before attempting to transport live gamefish from one body of water to another, check the legality of this action with your game and fish department. It's illegal here in Arizona.
Phoenix Arizona

~N.A.F.C.~B.A.S.S.~BoatU.S.~N.R.A.~

Currently all the lakes are ice and snow covered. it's a daytime bite.